by Laura Pavlov
“Jesus. What is he even betting with? Credit cards? I mean, he sold his Rolex. Did you give him that cash yet?”
“No. He’s been avoiding me since he moved into the halfway house. Obviously, he went back to placing bets with these guys and he didn’t want me to know. But Gray, the stakes are a lot higher this time, from what I’m being told.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, dropping to sit on my bed and scrubbing a hand down my face.
Here we go. It just seemed to get worse each time.
More booze.
More drugs.
More money.
“He’s got thirty-five hundred bucks left from the sale of the watch. He has no assets, no car. He’s sucked your grandparents dry, and I’ve loaned him a chunk of money myself. But from what I’m hearing, he bet twenty-five grand last night and lost. I don’t know what the fuck he’s thinking. And these are bad dudes. I’m going to close up shop for a while because these guys are hanging out here all the time now—and they’re bad news.”
“Holy shit. Twenty-five grand? What the fuck? So, they’re after him? Where the fuck could he be?” I asked, and I fought back the lump in my throat. I could go to Simon. I could beg for the money. But when would it end?
“I don’t know, but I know they won’t stop until they find him.”
“All right. I’ll come home. I’ll help you look for him,” I said.
“Hold tight, Gray. I don’t want you getting mixed up with these guys. I’ve got a few of my employees out looking for your dad. I can have him hide out at my place until we figure something out. It’s a lot of cash. Let me see what I can come up with.”
“Okay. Maybe he could hide out here?”
“I think keeping your father away from you might be a better idea. I don’t want you messed up with these guys.”
“Fuck. I don’t know what to do, Wren. Thanks for looking for him. I’m sorry about this.”
“Don’t apologize for the sins of your father, Gray. That is not on you. I speak from experience on this. Just keep your phone on you, and I’ll keep you posted.” Wren was a man many people in Willow Springs whispered about. He had his hands in a lot of pots, but he’d always been a stand-up guy to me and my dad. But the rumor mill was always flowing back home, and everyone had something to say about Wren.
“All right.” I disconnected the call and buried my face in my hands.
I called Gigi and filled her in. Hell, I hated telling her how fucked up my dad was, but I needed her to tell me what to do. I trusted her. She told me to listen to Wren and hang tight. She was heading back to school tomorrow or the next day, and I couldn’t wait for her to be here.
There was a knock at my bedroom door and Ricky peeked his head in. He and two other dudes were the only ones who had come back early. Most people were home with their families enjoying the holiday break. We weren’t all that lucky. Although having my mom show up and spend two days here at a hotel had been an unexpected surprise. We’d talked about a lot of things and though we still had a way to go on repairing our relationship, we were both willing to try, and that was progress.
“Sorry to bother you, Gray. There’s someone here to see you. He said to tell you he was your dickhead best friend. His words, not mine.” Ricky shrugged.
“What?” I pushed up and saw Cade standing beside him.
“Can I come in?” he asked, and I’d never seen my best friend look nervous, but he did.
“Yeah. Of course.” I nodded to Ricky to let him know it was good, and Cade stepped inside and shut the door.
He dropped to sit on my desk chair and faced me. “I was an idiot.”
I chuckled. “No, you weren’t. She’s your sister. I get it. I should have told you.”
“There would have been no way to tell me, and we both know it. As my sister so politely said, I’m an arrogant asshole. I fucked up, brother. And I need you to know that it wasn’t because I don’t think you’re a good guy. Hell, you’ve been my best friend my entire life. It was never about that.”
“Dude. Stop. I get it. Hell, I don’t think I’m good enough for her either. But I’m damn well going to try.” I dropped to sit on my bed to face him. This visit was a surprise, and I was happy about it. But my mind was reeling about my dad.
“Gray, that’s not it. It was never about that. I just didn’t think you would want to be in a committed relationship, and I didn’t want you to fuck over my sister. It’s Gigi, you know?” He looked so guilt-ridden, I wasn’t used to that from him. Cade was a lot of things, but apologetic and humble were not the norm for him.
“Brother, listen to me. I get it. I understand why you thought that. I was worried about it at first too. But… the more I was around her, the more I knew I couldn’t stay away.”
“That’s the thing. It wasn’t my place to judge. Hell, I was a player myself. And I turned my shit around for Camilla. I shouldn’t have said the things I said to you. I was wrong, Gray. You’re one of the best people I know, and I should have trusted you.”
Hell, I had not expected this.
“I appreciate it. And I understand it. Had I known what I know now—I would have come to you from the beginning,” I admitted.
“And what do you know now?” he asked, quirking a brow in challenge.
“I know that I love your sister so much it’s painful. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. She’s all I want, all I see.” I shrugged.
“Okay, that’s enough. I believe you. I do not need any more details about your obsession with my sister.” He laughed and pushed to his feet. “I’m sorry, brother.”
I stood and he pulled me in for a hug, clapping me hard on the back like the asshole he was.
“We’re good,” I said when we pulled apart. “Stop beating yourself up.”
“All right. But if you hurt her, I will tackle your ass again.”
Now we both laughed. “You do realize I didn’t fight back. I let you take your shots because I had them coming. Next time you won’t be so lucky.”
“Yeah. I still see the bruising from my badassery. Nothing like fighting with your best friend and then causing your little sister to go to the hospital and get stitches. You can only imagine how Katie and Bradley are feeling about me right now.” He shook his head and dropped back down to sit in the chair. His parents were two of the coolest people I knew, so having them disappointed in you would not be easy.
“That bad, huh? Gigi said you guys made up?”
“Yeah. She called me out on my shit, and I finally listened. She was right. She usually is. And Camilla wants a fucking medal because she called it the first time she met you guys. And my parents think I should cut back on the booze for a bit, which I’m doing. Taking a page from the Gray Baldwin pussy-whipped motherfucker book.”
I barked out a laugh. “You’re such an asshole. Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starving. I’ll fill you in on the shit show that is my father over lunch.”
And just like that, things were looking up.
After filling Cade in on my father, he decided to spend the night. There were tons of open rooms at the frat house, and he didn’t want to leave when we still hadn’t heard anything about my dad. I appreciated it. I was happy we’d repaired things, and there was no one I wanted in my corner more than Cade. The dude had always had my back, and I counted on that.
I got up and called Wren. He said they hadn’t had any luck finding him, and I didn’t miss the concern in his voice. Cade was using my shower because he said the communal bathroom should be shut down for how unsanitary it was. I’d laughed because there was no doubt he was right about that.
I talked to Gigi and she was happy that Cade and I were back on track. As much as I liked having him here, I was ready for him to leave so my girl could come back. I missed the fuck out of her and seeing her face on a phone screen was not cutting it.
/> “Dude, you live like a king with this fucking shower. This is a sweet setup.” Cade was dressed but was still towel drying his wet hair.
“I am a fucking king. Get used to it.” I tossed my LSAT book on my bed because I was having a hard time focusing with my dad missing.
“No word yet?”
“No. Where the fuck could he be? I called my grandparents and I didn’t want to panic them, but I thought maybe he was hiding out there.”
“What did they say?” he asked, sitting down to pull on his socks and boots.
“They haven’t seen him.” My phone vibrated and I reached for it.
“If that’s my sister again, I am putting you in the pussy-whipped Hall of Fame. Dude, you two talk a hundred times a day. It’s ridiculous.” He rolled his eyes.
I glanced down at my phone and my heart raced.
What the actual fuck?
I held up my phone as Cade read the message.
Unknown Caller ~ We have your father. He owes us 25 Gs, and he claims he doesn’t have it. You’ve got till the end of the day to get that money together, or we’ll cut off one finger at a time and send it to you. Or we could just personally deliver them to your pretty little girlfriend. Wouldn’t mind a couple rounds with her. We know where you are, Gray. Get in your truck and get your ass to Willow Springs or you won’t be seeing your dad any time soon. I’m sure your stepdaddy could front you the cash. Get to work. We’ll send you a meeting location when you get closer. If you go to the police, you won’t see your dad again, I can promise you that. We’re watching you.
“Holy fucking shit,” Cade whispered.
I dialed Wren. “Hey. I got a text. They’ve got him. They want the money. They told me to get in the truck and drive my ass there or they’re going to start cutting off his fingers. They brought up Gigi. What the fuck, Wren. What do I do?”
“These motherfuckers. I am going to fuck them up, I swear to God. This is not okay,” he shouted, and I heard something shatter in the background. “Call Gigi. Tell her not to leave the house. I’ll get some guys over to the Jacobs’ house just to keep an eye on things. I think this guy is trying to intimidate you. They aren’t a big-time operation. It’s two dumb fucking dudes that think they’re fucking gangsters. They obviously have him because I’ve scoured this fucking town and I can’t find him. You need to get in your truck and head here. Do what they say for now, and we’ll figure this out. I have some guys on the inside at the police department. Let me work on things on my end.”
“They said they would kill him if I called the police. They told me to get the money from Simon. They brought up Gigi. How the fuck do they know so much about me?” I was frantically pulling on my shoes and a baseball cap and searching for my keys as my best friend stood there listening to the call. I had Wren on speakerphone.
“These are bad dudes, but it’s just the two of them as far as I know. I’ve heard from my guy on the inside that the cops have been after them, but I don’t know how deep into this they are. Just get here. Call Gigi and give her a heads-up, and I’ll have some guys drive by your mom’s house as well. Just get here, Gray.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
Cade and I were out the door and on the road within minutes. I called Gigi and she was scared shitless. I told her not to leave the house, and of course, her girlfriends were on their way over to sit with her because they were loyal as shit. I was happy she had them.
“I’m guessing you’re probably questioning the idea of me being with your sister right about now?” I asked my best friend when I merged onto the freeway.
“Fuck no. I know you have Gigi’s back, Gray. This shit with your dad is not your fault.”
“No, but it’s still my reality. And anyone in my life has to deal with that.”
“Gigi and I are in your life whether you two are dating or not. Stop trying to find reasons why you aren’t deserving of good things. How many dudes would be doing this for their father? You’re a good man, Gray. The best I know. I couldn’t ask for better for my sister, if I’m being honest. But if you ever tell anyone I said that I will cut your balls off in your sleep.”
If I had any ability to find humor in any situation at the moment, I would have laughed. But I couldn’t right now. My girl was scared to death, my dad was being held hostage by these lunatics, and I didn’t know how we were going to get him out of it this time. I didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel and that scared the shit out of me.
“I don’t know why you aren’t in your car driving home. You shouldn’t be with me,” I said, because I was still pissed that he’d jumped in the truck with me. The last thing I wanted to do was involve more people in my dad’s fucked up mess.
“Dude. You’re my day one. We’re in this together. You were there for me during my shit with Camilla. I was freaking out, and you strolled in and handled everything.”
“I think a pregnancy scare and some drug-dealing assholes holding my father hostage are on two completely different playing fields.” I shook my head. “I’m dropping you at your house when we get to town.”
“The hell you are. That’s the worst thing you could do. Then you’ll have me and my sister following your ass.”
I couldn’t think straight. I didn’t know what to do. I hoped that Wren would come up with a plan before I made it to Willow Springs. My phone vibrated and Cade grabbed it from the cup holder.
“Good Christ,” he whispered under his breath.
“What is it?”
“A photo of your dad tied up in some dingy place. Maybe a basement?”
“How does he look?”
Cade was quiet for a minute and I hissed at him to speak.
“He looks all right. Scared.”
“But he doesn’t look injured?” I asked as I slammed my fist against the steering wheel. How the fuck was I going to get him out of this?
“No. There’s no blood or signs that he’s been hurt.”
The phone vibrated again, and Cade read the text message.
“You have three hours to get the cash together. We’ll set up a meeting spot. You better be there.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to come up with twenty-five thousand bucks in three hours?” I ran a hand through my hair.
“We could give them the title to my jeep. It’s got to be worth that much?”
“I can’t ask you to do that, brother. But I appreciate the offer.”
“You didn’t ask me to do it. I offered. And it’s a viable option,” he said.
We drove in silence as we both tried to process how the hell this would go down. It was getting dark and my mind was spinning with what to do. I needed a motherfucking miracle.
We exited the freeway, and I was shocked how quickly we’d gotten here. My stomach sank because I hadn’t heard from Wren, and I was running out of options.
My phone rang and Cade put it on speakerphone and told me it was Wren.
“Hey, we just pulled into town. Any news?”
“My guy at the police station said they knew about your father being held.”
“What the fuck does that mean? They know he’s being held, and they aren’t doing anything to get him out?”
“I don’t fucking know. But we have the money for you. I’m at your mother’s house now,” he said, and he kept his voice low.
“You’re at my mom’s house? What the fuck is going on?”
“Jett called me. He and Gigi told me to meet them here,” he said. “Gigi met with your mother and asked her for the money.”
I pulled over on the side of the road and ran a hand down my face. There were so many moving parts, and I had no control over anything anymore.
“I told her not to leave her fucking house,” I said, taking the phone from Cade.
“Yeah, I know. But she called Jett and had him come over and bring her here. He ca
lled me right away, so she was never in danger. And she’s got a mind of her own. There’s no talking her out of shit, I’m sure you know that.”
“Welcome to my life,” Cade whisper-hissed because he wasn’t happy about her going rogue either.
“All right. Is Simon there?”
“Yeah. He’s here. He’s actually being helpful for whatever reason,” he said, and I could tell he had a hand over his mouth to keep his voice low so no one would hear him.
“I’m on my way.”
“Gigi is so fucking stubborn,” Cade said as he punched the dashboard. “She shouldn’t have left the house.”
I nodded, but pride filled my chest. My girl was a lot more like me than I’d ever realized. She’d do anything for the people she loved. “She was smart. She called Jett. I trust the dude with my life. And he called Wren, so they were covered. Trust me, Wren has everyone in town on this.”
Cade shrugged. “So, what’s the plan?”
“I don’t have a fucking clue.”
And that was the truth. But I knew I’d do whatever I needed to do to help my dad.
Because he was my dad.
And no matter how fucked up he was, I wasn’t going to turn my back on him.
It just wasn’t an option.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gigi
I went upstairs to check on Gray’s sisters, who were busy coloring in their room with Mariana. My parents had just arrived after they’d been blowing up my phone, and I was forced to fill them in on what was happening. They wanted to be here for Gray. They loved him almost as much as I did.
I heard voices downstairs and hurried back down to see Gray and Cade walk through the door. My feet were moving before I could stop myself from lunging at Gray. I’d missed him so much, and I just needed to know he was okay.